Job Title: Housing Benefits Officer
Location: London Borough of Harrow, Forward Drive, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 8NT
Employer: Pertemps Recruitment Partnership for London Borough of Harrow
Contract Type: Temporary Assignment
Hours of Work: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 09:00 am - 5:00 pm
Pay Rate: £20.55 PAYE / £26.22 Umbrella PAYE per hour
Overview:
Pertemps is offering an exciting opportunity for a motivated Housing Benefits Officer to join the expanding team at the London Borough of Harrow. This role offers a competitive pay rate of £20.55 PAYE and £26.22 Umbrella PAYE per hour.
Main Responsibilities:
- Evaluate and process Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claims, including complex cases involving self-employed individuals and students
- Work with various departments such as Access Harrow, Revenues, CAFT, Finance, and Housing, as well as external partners like the Department for Work and Pensions
- Act as the main liaison officer for the housing department, handling queries and escalations related to Housing Benefit claims
- Undertake revisions to benefit entitlements and contributions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legislation
- Provide support and advice to tenants regarding their benefit claims and entitlements
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to benefit claims, working closely with other departments and external agencies to find solutions
- Prepare reports and gather statistical information to support the performance and efficiency of the benefits system
Requirements:
- A degree in a relevant field such as social policy, housing studies, or public administration can be beneficial
- Extensive recent experience in assessing various types of Housing Benefit claims, including Temporary and Supported accommodation claims
- In-depth understanding of Housing and Council Tax Benefits legislation
- Proficiency in using relevant IT systems, such as CIVICA and Northgate
- Ability to analyze complex data and perform detailed calculations for benefit entitlements
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to liaise effectively with tenants, colleagues, and external partners
- Adept at troubleshooting issues related to benefit claims and finding solutions
- Ability to manage workload independently and prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment with changing priorities
- Willingness to adapt to different working arrangements and occasionally work outside of standard office hours
- Considerable experience in assessing and handling Temporary and Supported accommodation claims.
How to Apply:
If you have the necessary skills and experience for this role, please click 'apply'.
About Us:
Pertemps Recruitment Partnership has been a market leader in staffing solutions for nearly 60 years. Recognized by The Sunday Times as one of the Best 100 Companies to work for 14 years running, we pride ourselves on our personal touch and commitment to our employees. We are an accredited 'Investor in People', reflecting our dedication to career progression and employee satisfaction.
London Borough Of Harrow is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK. Located just 10 miles from the city centre and 13 minutes from Euston via Harrow & Wealdstone station, it offers excellent transport links and accessibility to the M1, M25, and A406.
Data Protection:
Your personal information will be shared with Cifas to prevent fraud and other improper conduct. If detected, you may be refused certain services or employment. Your information will also be used to verify your identity. For more details on how your information will be used and your data protection rights, visit fpn.